Early voting hours extended to 7:00 p.m.

This means you can vote early at any one of 51 locationsMonday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can also vote early this Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lock in your vote early and avoid any unforeseen events on Election Day that might prevent you from voting, such as bad weather, a sick child or a crisis at work.

Early voting locations

Here are the Early Voting locations most convenient to 49th Ward residents:

If you need a ride to an early voting site, please reply to this e-mail or call 773-973-4900.

If you are registered to vote at your current address, an ID is not required. Out of an abundance of caution, however, I advise you to bring an ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID, in the event there is a question about your registration.

Beating the lines

Lines for early voting are shortest on Sunday. As I note above, all Early Voting Sites will be open this Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition, the Board of Elections opened a new “Downtown Super Site” at 15 W. Washington with more than 100 touch screens.

You can still register to vote

If you missed the standard October 11th voter registration deadline, there’s a safety net. From now until Election Day, you may register to vote, update your address or file your name change at any early voting location or at your polling place on Election Day. After you register, you must vote immediately during that same visit. Please bring two forms of identification, at least one of which shows your current address.

Vote by mail

You can also vote by mail! Illinois law now permits you to vote by mail for any reason whatsoever. To obtain an application to vote by mail, CLICK HERE. Complete the application and either mail it or deliver it personally to the Chicago Board of Elections, 69 W. Washington. Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60602.

You will then receive your ballot in the mail. Follow all the enclosed instructions and make sure to vote in secret. The ballot may be returned to the Board of Elections by U.S. mail or a state licensed motor carrier or it may be delivered personally by you or an immediate relative.

Whatever method you choose, please vote. The stakes in this election are simply too high for you to stay home.